Speaking before the Federalist Society's 2013 National Lawyers Convention in Washington, D.C., Walker noted the presence of U.S. Court of Appeals Judge Diane Sykes at the event.

The first-term Republican governor pointed out that as a state lawmaker, he had supported Sykes' appointment to the state Supreme Court in 1999. Sykes garnered national attention for tossing softballs to U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas during an interview at the group's gala dinner last Thursday.

"Diane Sykes is here as well -- one of our favorite jurists," Walker said Friday at the Mayflower Hotel.

"If I ever got the chance to appoint you to something in the future, I'd be inclined to do that," he joked before being interrupted with laughter and then applause. "The rest of my staff just wilted with that comment."

Among others attending Walker's speech at the conservative legal group's convention were Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Rebecca Bradley; his chief legal counsel, Brian Hagedorn; and Andrew Hitt, assistant deputy secretary at the state Department of Administration.

Walker talks about Sykes at the six-minute mark of the video.

About Daniel Bice

Daniel Bice is a Watchdog columnist covering Wisconsin government and politics. His “No Quarter” column has won a National Headliner Award for best local interest column.